Portland Fire's Carla Leite gains fans in a hurry with clutch shot, fun interview

Portland Fire's Carla Leite gains fans in a hurry with clutch shot, fun interview originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

Carla Leite has entirely seized this new opportunity.

A first-round pick in 2024 by the Dallas Wings, who went to the Golden State Valkyries in the 2025 expansion draft, Leite moved again this offseason in yet another expansion move to the Portland Fire.

She has found a home.

Leite is averaging 15.6 points per game along with 4.2 assists while shooting 92.9% from the line.

The 5-foot-9 French guard may not be big, but she's potent.

She showed that on Monday when she drilled a dagger 3-pointer in Breanna Stewart's face:

CARLA LEITE BANGGGGGG SHE LIKE DAT IN STEWIE FACE https://t.co/fwgLQnEcB4pic.twitter.com/6358WItMUv— Shabazz 💫 (@ShowCaseShabazz) May 26, 2026

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Leite had scored Portland's bucket previous to that with a tough left-handed drive and finish, too.

CARLA LEITE CLUTCHHHHHH pic.twitter.com/7CWdpnULoL— Shabazz 💫 (@ShowCaseShabazz) May 26, 2026

With the game nationally broadcast, Leite got the chance to be interviewed afterward by the legendary Sue Bird.

The energy in her response likely earned her even more fans:

Lmaooooo https://t.co/rVmo4h7jXnpic.twitter.com/2JUYvEBMHr— Shabazz 💫 (@ShowCaseShabazz) May 26, 2026

For expansion teams to capture a city's attention, they often need a player with charisma equal to their talent.

Leite appears to have that. She's fearless, skilled and enjoying herself. The Fire are in a good place with her helping lead the way.

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